By Catherine Guzman

Feeling anxious from time to time is perfectly natural, and most human beings experience a pang of anxiousness periodically. Anxiety becomes a bigger issue when the sufferer starts to feel anxious on a day-to-day basis, even if the symptoms are mild. Mild anxiety symptoms can include a racing heart, shakiness, and a general feeling that something bad is about to happen. It is important to deal with anxiety when it is at the minor stage, as ignoring these tell-tale symptoms can put you at risk of developing panic attacks, which in turn can lead to a host of anxiety issues.

What Causes Anxiety?

There are many situations in life that can cause minor anxiety. Stress at work or school, a recent break up, and even hormones may play a part. Anxiety is the body’s way of releasing fear, and when someone internalizes their issues for a long period of time, they may feel like they are in a constant state of worry, which definitely does not contribute well to the quality of life. The good news is that minor anxiety can be easily controlled by taking a few simple steps and re-organizing your thought process.

Step One: Get to the Root of the Problem

If you find yourself in a constant state of worry, the first step to take is to recognize what it is that is bothering you. Are you feeling overwhelmed at work or school, do you have financial issues? By recognizing your problem rather than burying it, you will minimize the fear and anxiety that are consuming you. You can also get your problems out in the open by discussing them with a close friend or family member, or even creating a journal. The most important aspect is to get your fears out in the open. Once you can look at the situation clearly, you will be able to find a solution, and you have released everything that has been building up inside of you and causing the anxiety.

Step Two: Deep Breathing

When a person has an anxiety attack, their first complaint is that they feel like they are gasping for air. Deep, calming breaths work wonders on the body. First, they balance out the entire system, which in turn keeps the heart rate down. Secondly, when you are simply focusing on your breathing, you are truly staying in the present moment, and when you are focusing on the present, you simply do not have time to worry about what could possibly happen or fret about what has happened in the past.

Step 3: Give Yourself a Break

Life throws curveballs to everyone from time to time, and in today’s world, it is easy to find yourself in a world of fear and “what ifs”. The problem with this type of worry is that while it is perfectly natural to experience it from time to time, worrying and feeling anxious every day is bad for your health, and it truly takes away the experience of life. Whatever your worries may be, it is important to know that there is most likely a solution around the corner. By facing your day-to-day challenges and dealing with life on a moment-to-moment basis, you may be pleasantly surprised with how well everything turns out.

– Catherine Guzman is a stay-at-home mom with three school-aged children. She enjoys writing for a variety of websites in her spare time. Click here to learn more about natural remedies for anxiety.

http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/breathing-exercises